According to the study, women, urban, younger and educated workers in formal sectors face higher risks of automation from generative artificial intelligence (GAI), “which could worsen regional economic inequalities and informality.”
“Effectively managing the impacts of Generative AI requires a strong and inclusive social dialogue that brings together all stakeholders,” said Ana Virginia Moreira Gomes, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the organization in a press release.
“By fostering meaningful conversations between policymakers, industry leaders, workers and unions we can ensure that the transformative power of AI is harnessed responsibly, addressing the needs of all workers while mitigating the associated risks,” he added.
In terms of the benefits that IAG can bring, the report indicates that it could improve the productivity of between 8% and 14% of jobs, especially in the urban, educational and formal sectors, and among people with higher incomes, the research indicated.
These benefits are distributed “more equitably among workers in terms of gender and age,” although they are more likely to accrue to formal jobs in urban areas held by people with “higher levels of education and income.”
“Salary workers and freelancers – such as hairdressers, salespeople, architects or real estate agents – and those in the education, healthcare or personal services sectors are most likely to benefit from the transformative effects of GenAI (generative artificial intelligence),” the report said.
Regarding gaps in digital access, the study points out that the loss of productivity linked to this phenomenon would have a greater impact on workers living in poverty.
“For example, in Brazil, while 8.5% of poor workers could benefit from GenAI, only 40% of them could do so because they use digital technologies in the workplace,” the report notes.
